CARLING Cup king Paul Robinson insists Blackburn Rovers have a ‘great chance’ of booking their first major Wembley cup final appearance in 50 years.

Robinson proved the hero against Chelsea on Wednesday night when his penalty saves launched Rovers into the semi-finals and a two-legged showdown with Aston Villa.

It is not the first time the 30-year-old goalkeeper has enjoyed the limelight in the League Cup.

In 2008, he won his only major club trophy of his career to date in Tottenham’s 2-1 final victory over Chelsea at Wembley, with Blackburn team-mate Pascal Chimbonda also among the Spurs winners.

And on a more curious note, Robinson scored his first professional goal for Leeds United in the closing moments of a second round tie against Swindon Town in 2003.

Sam Allardyce’s men now meet Villa three times in January, with their FA Cup third round clash falling ahead of the Carling Cup double-bill.

Rovers were crowned Worthington Cup champions in 2002 when they beat Spurs 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium.

But with the prospect of reaching their first major Wembley showpiece since the 1960 FA Cup defeat to Wolves, Robinson is desperate to steer Blackburn to the final against either Manchester City or Manchester United.

“It would be huge for us to get there,” said the England international. “We managed to avoid the two Manchester teams in the draw, but it’s going to be tough against Aston Villa.

“We’re at home first - which isn't really kind to us - but at the end of the day it’s a semi-final and a great chance to get to Wembley.

“I enjoy the Carling Cup. I scored a goal in this competition, I won it (in 2008), and now I’ve ended up saving a couple of important penalties.

“To get back to Wembley and the chance of winning it again would be very nice for me.”

He added: “We are going to be seeing a lot of Villa in January - we’ve got them in the FA Cup as well.

“We’ll be going backward and forwards to Villa Park in the first couple of weeks in January. We may as well take up residence in a hotel around there!”

Robinson became the hero at Ewood Park on Wednesday when he saved spot-kicks from Chelsea’s Michael Ballack and Gael Kakuta following the 3-3 draw.

However, the night almost became a personal disaster for Blackburn’s number one after a poor clearance gifted Paulo Ferreria a last-gasp extra-time equaliser for the west Londoners.

“It was such a crazy five minutes of football. That’s the highs and lows of football,” said the former Leeds and Spurs shot-stopper.

“I don’t think you can experience two contrasting emotions in such a short space of time. Only football can give you that.

“I was very disappointed with that goal. I might have got a little foul, but I should have done a lot better with it.

“Fortunately for me, I managed to clear my head at a difficult time.

"It’s a strange situation for a goalkeeper - to have that opportunity to make amends.”

Rovers entertain Villa at Ewood Park in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday, January 5, before travelling to Villa Park for the second leg on Wednesday January 20.

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